Rookie WR Andy Isabella not expected to get more playing time after TD catch

Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Andy Isabella turned heads last week when he had an 88-yard touchdown reception against the San Francisco 49ers. It was only his third reception of the season, but his speed was on display.

However, despite the big play, fans should not expect suddenly a bunch of added playing time for the second-round draft pick.

When asked if the touchdown would affect his playing time, head coach Kliff Kingsbury responded by saying, “not really.”

“We know he has explosive capability, and we want him to continue to learn and continue to get better,” he said. “We have a plan for him, and he’s on pace for what we want him to be.”

Isabella has played limited snaps over the season for a number of reasons. Kingsbury has been very high in his praise of the rookie but has also said Isabella needs time to adjust to the league coming out of a smaller school in college.

He missed time in training camp with an injury. The team has moved him around to multiple positions.

“The NFL, obviously, it’s a big step up in competition and how we do things and how we practice and how we work,” explained Kingsbury. “He’s game for all of it; it just takes time. You saw his explosiveness the other night, and hopefully we can build off that.”

Kingsbury believes his group of wide receivers is talented.

“We’ll continue to mix him in and just utilize him the best way that we can.”

Isabella will have a chance for big plays again this weekend. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Cardinals’ next opponent, have the league’s second-worst defense against the pass.